Yummy Easy Brown Rice

I have been trying to switch to brown rice for a long time and I have had some success with cooking it but it seemed like a lot of work and it took a while.
Here is a great recipe that only takes 40 minutes. I did during the kids naptime and I warmed it up later for dinner. Oh and I went back to snack on it later that evening. That says something out of all the treats in the house I wanted to snack on brown rice! Oh and I bought it from Massa Organics at our local farmers market, there rice and wheat is the best and makes great products.

We used it to make Mexican rice bowels. Rice, meat (we used ground beef), black beans, salsa, cheese and avocado. This is an easy dinner and most things can be prepared in advance I also made black beans from scratch. Again it was an easy recipe and required no soaking! These were by far the best beans I have made, they were cooked through but not mushy!

Rice bowls are versatile, you can use different beans, meats, veggies, sauces but you’ll always know you are giving your family a healthy meal. Also for my picky kids I gave them all the parts of the rice bowl in different sections on there plate (not mixed up). Since there was a variety of veggies and protein sources I didn’t have to worry that they ate every bite. A few more good things about this meal is its economical and keeps well for lunches or tomorrows dinner.

Linking Up To:

Good Article on Fluoride

http://networkedblogs.com/doYM

We do not live where their is fluoride in the water, which I think is great because it gives us the choice.  Our children (2 and 4yrs) use non-fluoride toothpaste.  When they are older and not swallowing so much of it I will consider a more natural fluoride toothpaste. 

Activity of the day home made swirly pops! Rorie Loved helping make these!

Wordless Wednesday

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Hamburger and French Fries!

So people think that we are missing out not going to fast food.  We still do go out to eat I just try to pick restaurants that are not large chains and not fast food.  We now prefer home made pizza because it is so yummy!  However that means pizza night is no longer a quick phone call and 30 minutes later dinner is on the table.  

Anyway tonight we had hamburgers and French fries our way!  It was super yummy so I had to post.

Hamburger: Our meat is from Sean’s parents ranch where they raise a few cattle for beef.

Toppings: Avocado, cheese and mushrooms all from California.  It was weird not having tomatoes but I am trying to not buy fruits and veggies out of season so we went with out.  I was excited to find Avocado at the food co-op from California it was the bright green kind not the typical Hass ones that we get in the summer and fall. 

 Buns: At 3:30 I realized I would need bread by dinner time so I used my new Kitchenaid mixer to make over sized dinner rolls that have extra yeast so they rise fast.  They were 1/2 bread flour 1/2 wheat. 

 

Fries: I looked up some recipes and made baked sweet potato and regular fries.  The sweet potato ones did not get crispy (I will tweak the recipe and try again soon).  The other ones were great.  My family loves home made fries and always asks for more.  Also I am freezing a batch for a quick snack another day.   (Fry pictures are before they were cooked.  I got to busy with eating to take any after shots after they cooked)

Regular Fries: Pre-heat oven to 450, cut Yukon gold (or other) potatoes into fry size pieces.  Put in a bowl and mix with a few tablespoons of California Olive Oil, salt, pepper and other favorite seasonings (I like paprika, or 21 season mix from Trader Joes).  Place on cookie sheet in single layer and bake at 450 on lowest rack for 20-30 minutes flipping fries once about half way through. 

Back to basics!

This is a great article about changing how we eat. Over the last year my family has done most of these things. We are not perfect but we only go out to eat once or twice a week. We have been a member of a CSA for almost two years and I have been visiting farmers markets since I was a kid. We now have our own garden (if only we could get it to produce!). We make our own bread, cookies, jam, and many other snacks. We purchase about 75% of our food from the local food co-op buying seasonal and local when possible. Our kids are learning to garden, cook, shop local and they only eat the best seasonal fruits and veggies! As a family we are wasting less, saving money, spending time together gardening and cooking.
What changes is your family making?

New Years Resolution: Bread Baking

My goal this year is to make 95% of our bread at home.  I want to leave a little wiggle room to buy some things I don’t know how to make or when its just been to busy a week to make bread.  I do have a bread machine that I use to make my dough but I just got a kitchen aid mixer for Christmas so I am excited to branch out in my bread making.  If anyone has any sourdough making tips please let me know!  I have the starter but I have yet to get the texture of the bread quite right! 

I have more goals but they will have to wait for a future post.  Right now I am working on greening up my kids birthday party (reducing waste form party supplies, etc.).  Any tips on doing this on a budget would be appreciated! 

Fluffy whole grain pancakes!

Here is my recipe for fluffy whole grain pancakes.  Well they are a mixture of flours and grains.  I have been searching for a healthy yummy pancake recipe for a few years now and until recently my pancakes were never very fluffy. Luckily my family ate them anyway.  These ones though, they devour.  Enjoy!

4 servings: about 3-4 silver dollar size pancakes for each person.

1 cup milk

2 tbsp vinegar

1/2 cup whole wheat flower

1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flower

1/2 cup oats (optional)

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2-4 tbsp sugar

2 eggs

2 tbsp butter melted or very soft

1 tsp vanilla

First add vinegar to milk stir and let sit for 5 minutes while you get other ingredients ready.  Season skillet/griddle by rubbing oil on it with a small towel, then heat to medium/medium-high. In large bowl mix dry ingredients.  Add beaten eggs, butter and vanilla to milk mixture.  Mix with dry ingredients and stir just enough to mix batter. 

At this point I like to put the pancake batter into a large measuring cup to make pouring onto the skillet easier and less messy.  Next pour about 1/4 cup on to the skillet and flip after bubbles appear and pop on the surface.  Cook the second side then plop on a plate, hand them out to the family and enjoy with your favorite toppings!  Our favorite is maple syrup of course!

Freeze the leftovers: Now it is rare that we have leftovers (unless I make a double batch) but they freeze well.  Freeze them in a container and then just reheat in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack!  We no longer buy Frozen waffles in our house which saves money and I don’t have to worry about what's in them!

Note about flours: I buy my favorite wheat flour at the Davis farmers market.  Of course that means it is local but also that means it tastes great and does not add as much density to baked goods as typical wheat flours.   For unbleached all purpose flour I buy King Arthur, Bob Mills or what ever is in the bulk bin at the Davis Food Co-op.